snip

[Jason]
> Jing Tea Shop offers very cheap 25g samples (30 cents to $4 or so) on
> young cakes and bricks, and for about three samples it costs $5.10
> airmail shipping. www.jingteashop.com

Hi Dominic,

Without a trace of science, it has been my observation that young green
Pu'erhs -- the ones you are talking about -- come in various profiles, among
them "smokey/cigary/tarry," "fruity/floral," and "musty/floral." These, of
course overlap, but my tastebuds want to characterize them so. Some of those
in the first category there is little hope for, and they will hardly become
less smokey steep after steep. My favorites are those in the second
category, although they also have a "sour" or "bitter" note that some people
find off putting, but that I'm fond of. The third category to my taste
includes especially those "silver bud" bud only offerings. And again there
is much overlap. A certain musty quality is part and parcel of Pu'erh, and
if you don't care for it, young Pu'erh might not be your thing.

Having pontificated thus far, I hightly agree with Jason in his
recommendation of Jing Tea Shop. <http://www.jingteashop.com/> I have
received many interesting samples from Jing and Seb. Further, they can guide
you among the types I've mentioned -- which "types" have no official
sanction whatsoever.

I also want to recommend In Pursuit of Tea. <http://www.inpursuitoftea.com/>
IPOT has a number of nice Pu'erhs, although not an overwhelming number. As
Jason mentioned <www.pu-erh.net.> is a must see.

Have fun. Continue on. Never give up. When you reach 100 year old Pu'erh,
I'll send you my address.

Michael